Conceptual overview and histopathological characteristics of the gingival mass lesion “Epulis”

Abstract

Epulis, a gingival mass, is a clinical umbrella term for benign reactive proliferative lesions.　Although frequently encountered in dental and oral surgical practice, its recognition in general medical settings remains limited, and its detailed pathological features and disease concept are not widely understood.　This article aims to clarify the histopathology of this lesion, which has traditionally been regarded as unique to the gingiva, including its historical background.　Furthermore, it demonstrates that each type of epulis is not an independent disease confined to the gingiva, but corresponds to well-recognized histopathological entities.